In a 2-1 vote, the D. C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a preliminary injunction blocking construction of the White House ballroom.
The majority said that the president likely lacks “statutory authority to construct the ballroom” since Congress has that authority under the Constitution, even if the construction is for security reasons.
The court did not say if the ballroom is a good or bad idea. It’s all about who gets to decide White House renovations:
This holding has nothing at all to do with whether the proposed ballroom is desirable, or not, as a matter of policy. This ruling does not even necessarily mean that the Defendants may not ultimately construct the ballroom. What it does mean is that the Defendants may not do so during the district court’s expeditious litigation without securing Congress’s authorization, as the Constitution and laws require. At this preliminary stage, the National Trust has shown, compellingly, that Congress has not ceded unfettered authority to the Executive Branch to dramatically redesign, reshape, and reconstruct the White House—the People’s House—to fit a particular President’s desires.
“We will stay this decision for fourteen days to allow the Defendants, if they choose, to seek Supreme Court review,” the majority added.
The majority cited Art. IV, § 3, cl. 2 of the Constitution:
Congress has exclusive authority to regulate the construction and demolition of White House structures. The Constitution’s Property Clause vests Congress with plenary control over all real property that belongs to the United States. U.S. CONST. Art. IV, § 3, cl. 2 (“The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States[.]”); see Ashwander v. Tennessee Valley Auth., 297 U.S. 288, 331 (1936) (The Clause’s “broad terms” encompass “the due regulation of all * * * personal and real property rightfully belonging to the United States.”) (quotation marks omitted). In addition, the Constitution’s District Clause confers on Congress comprehensive legislative authority over the District of Columbia as “the Seat of Government of the United States[.]” U.S. CONST. Art. I, § 8, cl. 17.
Congress even added a statutory exclamation point, which is an ironclad legislative provision passed by Congress in 1912: “there shall not be erected on any reservation, park, or public grounds[] of the United States within the District of Columbia, any building or structure without express authority of Congress.”
In July 2025, President Donald Trump revealed plans to build a 90,000 sq. ft. ballroom, which would demolish the East Wing.
Private donations would cover the costs, not the taxpayers.
Demolition began in October 2025, leading to outrage and lawsuits.
The assassination attempt on Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) made him push harder for the ballroom, citing the venue’s security limitations.
No doubt the administration will take the case to the Supreme Court.
I don’t think the private donations will make a difference since the statute does not mention money.
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